Questions & Answers

Q: Will joining the chamber grow my sales?

Chamber membership has its rewards. As a current member of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, you can promote your business to other Chamber members through your participation in our Member to Member Discount Program. Here‘s the way it works. You list your business as a participating member at no cost to you, specifying what discount you are making available to other Chamber members and their employees as well as any restrictions. As an example, a restaurant may offer 10% off, or a free dessert with lunch or dinner, or a complimentary dessert with the purchase of two or more entrees; a bank may offer a free box of complimentary checks, safe deposit box for new business and/or personal accounts; an accounting firm may offer a 10% discount for new clients, etc. We publish your offer to the entire Chamber membership and other business owners, and their employees use your products and services. You acquire new business, and they get a break when using your products or services.

We only need to know that you will participate and what your discount and restrictions, if any, will be. Please complete the section below and fax (847) 825-3122 or mail to the Chamber at your earliest convenience.

Q: What kinds of businesses does the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce help?

Every kind – retail stores and restaurants, hair salons and other personal service providers, medical and other professional offices, business-to-business consultants, non-profits and many more. If you’re doing business in Park Ridge or would like to, the Park Ridge Chamber is for you!

Q: What does the Chamber do directly to give me visibility in the community?

Nobody works harder than our Chamber staff to make sure everybody knows what you offer, month in and month out! The Chamber publishes an annual local business Directory that goes to every household in Park Ridge. It includes complete contact information listings, free to Chamber members, and offers display ads at great member discounts, too. The Chamber also sends a continuous stream of news releases to local media, publishes a weekly newsletter to Chamber members, and puts out alertsand updates on the Chamber website – all to tell everyone about your business opening, product offerings, deals, and special events. If you’re a Platinum-level member, your company name is also published in every outgoing message.

Q: How does the Chamber help me promote my business?

In addition to all the marketing communications above, the Chamber hosts scores of marketing and networking events every year – more than 200 in all! Marketing events include high-visibility booths during the high-traffic Taste of Park Ridge in July, family attractions at Winterfest to kick off holiday sales, and other events and seasonal tie-ins. Many events offer the opportunity to provide refreshments and/or raffle prizes to showcase your offerings, and some include Chamber members from other northwest suburban communities, too. The more active you are in Chamber events, the more top-of-mind visibility you’ll enjoy.

Q: How does the Chamber help me improve my overall business operations?

Business today is complex and hyper-competitive, so the Chamber offers practical how-to workshops, seminars and professionally-led programs to help you get and stay up to speed with today’s winning techniques. Chamber members with expertise in law, finance, IT, marketing and more offer seminars for nominal fees. The Chamber also represents the business community in discussions with the City of Park Ridge and actively works to encourage a business-friendly climate. We also partner with the Park Ridge Park District and other local entities. Bottom line: The Chamber is always on the lookout for cost-effective, cutting-edge ideas to increase sales and profits, and we share this knowledge with you.

Q: What does the Chamber do to help me connect with other business owners?

Among the 200+ events the Chamber hosts each year, a majority are popular monthly breakfasts, luncheons and after-hours events to make networking easy, and much more -- all free or at great discounts to Chamber members. Some events are held at the Chamber’s spacious office, and others are held at members’ own locations. All are convenient, and inviting to Chamber members and potential members who want to get the most out of networking.

Q: How does the Chamber help me give back to the community?

The Park Ridge Chamber provides management support to the Park Ridge Community Fund (PRCF) which has its own local board that allocates donations to 20+ local charities each year. The Chamber’s support of PRCF includes managing the Annual PRCF Kick-Off Luncheon as the Chamber’s monthly luncheon in September. Chamber members are among PRCF’s most supportive donors, and our dual involvement gives Chamber members who support PRCF the favorable public relations they deserve. It’s a synergy that benefits local businesses and residents, and proves the value of doing well by doing good.